Minds On

What is a journal entry?

Life is full of interesting moments. Think of special times in your life where you may have seen, heard or experienced something that you didn’t want to forget.

Brainstorm

Sharing memories

Journals can be used in many different ways. For this learning activity, we will focus on using our journal as a way to recount personal memories in our lives, whether they be big or small. We can go back to our journals, even years from now, and return to those special times in our lives. Use the following chart to brainstorm memories in your life that you may like to write or talk about. Your journal can be a written one, or you may choose to make an audio journal instead. 

Complete the Brainstorm T-Chart in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable document to help you choose topics. 

Topic Memory
Example: Fun times with my friends Example: Yesterday’s outdoor recess at school

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Brainstorm T-Chart.

Parts of a journal entry

There are a few things that are important when you are creating this style of journal entry. Look at the example below for what to include in yours.


Action

Planning your journal entry

It may be hard to choose just one memory to write or talk about, but you can always return to your journal to recount all of those other special memories at another time. Many people add an entry in their journals every day!

Getting organized

We need to organize our thoughts before we begin. Close your eyes. Imagine you are returning to the exact time that you want to talk about. Try to use all of your senses.

Remember to organize your thoughts using the past tense only.

Use the Journal Entry Planner in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable document to help you to organize your thoughts.

  I heard

  I smelled

  I felt

  I observed

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Journal Entry Planner.

Consolidation

Creating your journal entry

Writing

As you begin your journal entry, you may want to add other important details that you forgot to include in your planner.

Student Tips

Spelling tips and tricks

Many writers may have just the right word they want to use but are not sure how to spell or pronounce the word. Don’t let that stop you from using that perfect word! For now, you could simply give it a go, or use a strategy you know to help you. Think of some of the strategies you use to spell or sound out an unknown word.

Breaking a word into smaller chunks can help us hear individual sounds (e.g., Bro-ken).

Think of words that are similar to the word you are spelling. Words often follow a pattern
(e.g., cat – mat – that).

Say the word slowly and listen for all of the individual sounds (e.g., t-oo-th, r-a-sh).

Listen for the root word on its own and then add the ending (e.g., play -ing, playing).

Editing

All good writers read their writing over and over to see if they can make it even better! Enjoy taking the time to return to this piece of writing to remind you of a special memory in your life. 

Complete the Editing Checklist in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable document to review your work.

Editing Checklist

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Editing Checklist.

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity?  Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.